Case studies showing how Sonic Element approaches acoustic challenges through design thinking, spatial insight, and generative sound. Each scenario explores what happens when sound is treated as a central element of experience.
Elara Integrative Care
Immersive Sound Design for Holistic Wellness
Elara Integrative Care uses immersive, generative audio to create a calming, emotionally supportive environment at every step of the patient journey. From the moment a guest enters the lobby, carefully designed ambient soundscapes soften external stress and signal a shift into a space of care. These sound environments are intentional, not decorative—tuned to evoke presence, comfort, and trust.
In transitional areas like hallways, gentle biophilic textures maintain emotional continuity, avoiding the sterile silence common in clinical spaces. Inside treatment rooms, sound masking is blended with therapeutic ambient layers to ensure both acoustic privacy and emotional ease. With Sonic Element, sound becomes more than background—it becomes a healing tool, a boundary, and a part of the experience itself.
Northgate Financial
Acoustic Solutions for a Lobby
In any client-facing space, the lobby sets the tone. For one busy professional center, that first impression was compromised by an unexpected challenge—excessive noise and a lack of speech privacy. Conversations at the reception desk often carried across the room, creating discomfort for clients and a sense of unease for staff managing sensitive information.
We began by implementing a tailored sound masking system calibrated specifically for the acoustic challenges of the space. By minimizing the intelligibility of voices at the front desk, we ensured that conversations remained confidential—a quiet upgrade in professionalism and trust. To complement the masking layer, we integrated ambient background textures that were soft, non-intrusive, and tonally aligned with the center’s brand, creating a space that felt both welcoming and acoustically refined.
To ensure full coverage without visual disruption, we carefully executed strategic speaker placement, optimizing sound dispersion while maintaining a clean, unobtrusive appearance. The system was built to blend seamlessly with the existing décor, reinforcing the center’s professional identity without calling attention to itself.
The process begins with a deep understanding of the center’s workflow and acoustic pain points. From there, we developed a tailored sound masking system that balanced functionality with subtlety. Specialized masking frequencies were carefully tuned to block the intelligibility of speech, helping to protect patient confidentiality while maintaining a natural sound environment. These frequencies were enhanced with low-level ambient elements, gently integrated to reduce stress and provide emotional comfort without competing with the space’s natural quiet.
To ensure consistent coverage, we conducted a full spatial assessment and executed strategic speaker placement throughout consultation and treatment areas. Every speaker was calibrated for optimal performance, blending seamlessly into the environment both visually and sonically. The system was also designed to work in harmony with the center’s existing architecture—no exposed wires, no disruptive hardware, just an invisible layer of acoustic support that aligned with the aesthetic of care.
After installation, we continued to work with the center, offering ongoing calibration and support to maintain long-term effectiveness. The result? A more focused, calm, and confidential space—where patients feel at ease, and staff can communicate clearly without worry.
The Roadrunner Bus Facility
This conceptual initiative transforms the RoadRUNNER Transit Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico by reimagining its sonic environment through advanced soundscape design. Leveraging the creative rigor of generative audio, the project introduces an immersive, adaptive soundscape that enhances the commuter experience and redefines how public space can feel and function.
In this project, sound is treated as a deliberate design element - curated to shape perception, support intuitive wayfinding, and reduce stress in a typically chaotic environment. Layered ambient textures respond to the flow of people and space, creating a cohesive sonic atmosphere that softens harsh noise, improves emotional tone, and promotes a greater sense of calm, safety, and spatial clarity.
Beyond the auditory innovations, physical improvements such as barrier-free pathways and modern amenities are seamlessly combined with the sound masking system. The result is a harmonized environment where every sound is purposefully managed, creating an engaging, multi-sensory experience that redefines urban transit.
As part of this soundscape intervention, we also explored how digital tools can enhance auditory experiences in transit spaces. This transit app concept was designed to integrate sonic accessibility features, improving navigation for visually impaired passengers while enhancing the overall user experience. By combining physical and digital sound design, we create cohesive, immersive environments that support comfort, wayfinding, and accessibility
Hudson & Co.
Speech Privacy in Legal Spaces
Confidentiality is the foundation of any law firm, yet many offices face challenges in maintaining speech privacy due to open layouts, thin walls, and external noise. At Hudson & Co. Law Offices, we implemented a custom sound masking solution to enhance discretion, ensuring sensitive client conversations remain private and uninterrupted.
By integrating strategically tuned masking frequencies, we reduced speech intelligibility beyond designated areas, preventing eavesdropping while maintaining a professional and comfortable acoustic environment. Our approach seamlessly blended with the firm’s aesthetic, providing an unobtrusive yet highly effective solution that reinforced both privacy and productivity.
